US1972155A - Display device - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 4, 1934. J D. McMASTER 1,972,155

DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Dec. 16, 1933 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 4, 1934 UNITED v STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to display devices and particularly to display devices in which there is a moving or vibrating fluid brilliantly lighted to attract attention. I

The object of the invention is to provide such a device in simple and inexpensive form convenient to move, easy to assemble and permitting figures, letters,insignia or decorations to-be replaced and rearranged so as to change the dis play and adapt it to different words, figures, and

the like.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating the invention Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a display device embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view partly in' section of said device; I

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2*;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view showing two display units adapted to associate together words, figures or other insignia; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a connector for display devices as shown in Fig. 4.

In the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing, the device comprises a base or box 10 carrying the display parts 11 above it. These display elements 11 are shown as letters formed of a hollow glass tubing hermeti- 30 cally sealed and partly but not wholly filled with a fluid 12 which is liquid at ordinary temperatures and whose boiling point is such that a moderate heating of the liquid will tend to cause it to bubble sufficiently violently to cause all of the fluid in each heated display device to rapidly move and circulate. Preferably each letter or other device will be provided with a bulb or reservoir 13 positioned close to a source of heat such as the electrical bulb 14. When the bulb 14 is shut off normal conditions prevail and the liquid 12 in the display parts 11 remains quiet, reaching a definite level such as 15 beneath the vapor and gas 16 above it. When, however, the bulb 14 is lighted it will heat each-bulb 13 of each letter or 15 figure, finally bringing the liquid to a boiling temperature so that bubbles are constantly formed in the bulb and passed upward through the liquid above to be recondensed in the upper parts of the tubular structure, which upper parts 30 thus act to condense the vapors and reflux the liquid back into the body of the liquid below.

Preferably each box will be of a size to accommodate a light bulb l4 and will have socketsor holders 20 placed to hold the bulbs 13 adjacent the light so as to be radiantly heated thereby.

The sockets 20 may be formed of wire as shown attached to the side of the box at 21 and having the spring prongs 22 snap fitting the bulb 13. One side 24 of the box cover has its edge 25 vertically above the sockets and provided with recesses or 00 cut outs 26 for the necks 27 of the display devices 11. The other side of the box top is formed by pivoted covers 30, one for each socket. These covers 30 are hinged along the outer edge at 31 and have their inner ends 32 meeting edge 25 and provided with corresponding cut outs 33 fitting around the other half of the necks 27 of the display devices. To replace or change one of these tubes 11 the corresponding cover 30 is opened, the tube tipped slightly from the vertical (to the right, Fig. 3) and withdrawn outward and upward from the socket 20. Similarly in replacing a tube 11, it is tipped (to the right, Fig. 3) and inserted in the proper socket 20 and then straightened into the vertical to fit in recess 26 after which the corresponding cover 30 is closed over to position its recess 33 around the neck 27 of the tube.

To illuminate the liquid in the tubes the tube bulbs 13 are transparent to admit the light rays 30 from the bulb 14 and reflector 35 and preferably additional light is thrown on the tubes through openings in the box top. For instance, the covers 30 may have slits 36 provided by pu ching up the strips 37 as shown, these strips acting as de- 35 fiectors to confine the light to the direction of the tubes and keep it from forming a glare visible to the observer. Each box 10 will form a unit separately supporting, heating and illuminating a number of tubes. Longer words or sentences may be formed by simply connecting up any desired number of units end to end. For this purpose each box 10 is provided with pairs of end orifices 40 adapted to receive eyelets 41 of the connectors 42 (Fig. 5). In this way a series of boxes are fastened together in alinement to any desired length. The successive sockets 30 are evenly spaced in sequence since said sockets are only half spaces from the end walls of the box 10.

The display device of this invention is simple and inexpensive in structure and rugged and durable in use. At the same time it is widely changeable and adaptable. The display elements themselves are permanent and do not deteriorate 105 in use, and may be formed in any variety of lettering, insignia or decorative effects. It is only necessary to form the tubing to the required shape with the parts to be observed transparent and the remaining portion rendered opaque as by 1 coating or film 47 between the bulb 13 and the display element 11.

In the specific embodiment shown in the drawing these display elements can be turned at any desired angle in their sockets and either side of the container may face toward the observer, depending upon the effect desired. In the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the preferred front face is that formed by the wall 48 and the cover portion 24, the illumination then being thrown up onto the agitated liquid through the rear cover openings. As a window display it is only necessary to assemble the containers and the display elements and connect the successive containers together and then plug into the current supply for the electric light bulbs in usual manner.

I claim:

1. In a display device, the combination with a combined container and support comprising a box-like structure of opaque material, of means in said container for receiving a light bulb and maintaining it out of sight, socket means carried by said container adjacent said bulb for de tachably supporting devices in position to be heated and illuminated by said bulb, and transparent tubular devices having bulb portions in said socket means within said container and having protruding portions containing a liquid illuminated by the light of said bulb and agitated by the heat thereof.

2. In a display device, the combination with a combined container and support, of a plurality of sockets in said container, transparent tubular devices adapted to be removably and interchangeably supported in said sockets, heating and lighting means in said container including an electric light bulb and reflector, and a fluid in said tubular devices adapted to be agitated and illuminated by said heating and lighting means. 0

3. In a display device, the combination with a container having a movable cover portion, of a plurality of socket supports below said cover, transparent tubular devices adapted to fit in said sockets and extend through said cover, heating and lighting means in said container including an electric light bulb and reflector, and a fluid in said tubular devices adapted to be agitated and illuminated by said heating and lighting means.

4. A display device comprising a plurality of combined, containers and supports, each container having heating and lighting means within it and carrying a series of tubular transparent devices above it with fluid adapted to be agitated and illuminated by said heating and lighting means and detachable connecting means for removably assembling and retaining said plurality of containers end to end.

JOHN D. MCMASTER.

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